Latching devices for gates and doors

ABSTRACT

A latching device ( 1 ) particularly for installation such as swimming pool gates may have an automatic magnetic latch with a child resistant device to control access. The child resistant device may include an operating handle ( 10 ) at an elevated location to be out of the reach of the child and an alternative operating device ( 11 ) is provided at a lower location with child resistance provided typically by a push button arrangement ( 12 ) acting through a cam and cam follower to raise a latching arm ( 3 ) against the biasing to the latching position. A simple pronged key ( 16 ) for a pushing action can be provided, but another aspect consists in a mechanically actuatable key pad ( 20 ) which can readily be operated by an adult even in a wheelchair, but which is resistant to child actuation. For example, a selected two of eight buttons may be required to be depressed to permit the key to actuate the push button.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to securing arrangements for gates anddoors, and includes devices for latching and optionally locking gatesand doors.

Some important applications of the invention are to installationsparticularly concerned with child resistant latching devices.

The present invention will be exemplified with reference to theparticular problem of hinged swimming pool gates which require secureautomatic latching on closure and the ability to prevent young childrenunlatching and opening the gate, but it is to be understood that theinvention extends to embodiments intended for other applicationsincluding sliding doors and other structures.

Furthermore other aspects of the invention extend to new key and keycontrolled latching mechanisms for gates and doors where security is tobe provided.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As an illustration of one field of application of some embodiments ofthe invention, the issue of child resistant latches for swimming poolgates will be discussed.

To prevent young children from entering a pool area without supervision,safety pool fences are usually required by law. These safety pool fencesinclude a self-latching device which is arranged to operateautomatically on closing the gate of the fence and prevents the gatefrom being reopened without manual releasing of the mechanism. Usually aself-closing mechanism such as spring hinges is also provided on thegate to bias the gate to a closed position.

The present applicants are the owners of, U.S. Pat. No. 5,362,116 whichdiscloses a safety latch in the form of a self-latching magneticlatching device. This comprises a latch arm and housing which in use isarranged to extend vertically, mounted to a gatepost. One end of thelatch arm is arranged to engage with a retaining element mounted to thegate, to prevent opening of the gate. The latch arm is displaceable froman extended position where it engages with the retaining element to aretracted position so that the gate may be opened. The device includesan operating mechanism which includes an actuator in the form of a knowmanipulable by a user to displace the latch arm to the retractedposition. The knob is placed remotely from the end of the latch armwhich engages with the retaining element, at the top of the latch armhousing. In use, the knob is positioned so that only a standing adultcan reach it. This prevents children from being able to actuate the knoband operate the latch device.

One limitation with this arrangement is that, while the device cannot beoperated by children (as intended), it also cannot be operated bypersons who should be allowed entry to the pool but cannot reach theknob because, for example, they may be disabled, in a wheelchair andtherefore unable to stand. There are also various laws in variouscountries and states which require that disabled people have access toareas where able people can go, including swimming pools.

It would therefore be desirable if a latching device could be operatedby adults including disabled people while still preventing access torestricted areas by children.

Furthermore, alternatives to known gate latching devices and key-lockarrangements for such devices would be desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention in one embodiment provides a latching device forlatching, in a predetermined position, two members which are otherwisemoveable relative to one another, the latching device having (a) aretaining element adapted to be mounted to a first of the members, (b) amounting structure arranged to be mounted on a second of the members (c)a latch arm mounted on the mounting structure and arranged in use, whenin an engaged position, to engage with the retaining element to preventrelative movement of the members, (d) the latch arm being displaceableto a disengaged position so that the members may be moved apart, thelatching device further comprising (e) a first operating mechanism fordisplacing the latch arm to the disengaged position, the first operatingmechanism including a first actuator manipulatable by a user to displacethe latch arm to the disengaged position, the first actuator beingpositionable in use at a first height accessible by a standing adultuser, and (f) a second operating mechanism for displacing the latch armto the disengaged position, the second operating mechanism including asecond actuator manipulatable by an adult user to displace the latch armto the disengaged position, the second actuator being positionable inuse at a second height, lower than the first height, and accessible by aseated adult, such as a disabled person in a wheelchair.

This new concept can be applied as a modification to the device of U.S.Pat. No. 5,362,116, and incorporates means to make the installationchild-resistant to opening from a lower location which is inherentlychild accessible.

In the engaged position the latch arm may be in an extended position andin the disengaged position the latch arm may be in a retracted position.

The members may be a gate and gatepost (eg allowing access to a swimmingpool area) or any door jamb and door arrangement for access to any area

In one embodiment a key is required to operate the second actuator.

To prevent access to unauthorised person, such as children, therefore,the key may be presented to the person requiring it when they requestaccess to the area.

A useful embodiment is one where the key is arranged to be mountedproximate the latching device for ease of access. To prevent operationby, for example, children, the key can be arranged to be set to aninoperable state where it cannot be used and to an operable state whereit can be used. The key may include security means, operation of thesecurity means being required to set the key to the enabled state.

The security means can include a keypad, and to operate the securitymeans to set the key to the enabled state a code must be entered by wayof the keypad.

In one embodiment, the security means further includes a shroud or covermember which is arranged to cover an operating portion of the key, whenthe key is in the disabled state, and withdrawing of the cover memberfrom the operating portion sets the key in the enabled state. The covermember can only be withdrawn when the security code is entered.

The second operating mechanism may includes a further actuator, which isarranged to be position on the opposite side of the one member from thesecond actuator, so that the second operating mechanism can be operatedfrom either side of the one member.

In a useful embodiment, the second actuator is a push button. The latcharm in use may extend vertically and be arranged to be extended andretracted in a vertical direction. The push button can be arranged to bepushed inwardly in a horizontal direction and the second operatingmechanism can include a cam operated by the push button and a camfollower. On operation of the cam the cam follower operates on the latcharm to raise it to the retracted position.

In another aspect, the present invention provides for an alternativeapproach to a latching device which does not necessarily incorporate thefirst actuator positioned at a height not accessible to a child but onlyto a standing adult. The features of this specific aspect may becombined with the features of a latching device according to the firstaspect of the invention but may be otherwise applied, for example to akey-controlled push button actuator which uses a cam and cam followerarrangement. Usually the push button has a horizontal axially directedline of actuation when unlocked and the cam follower displaces alatching arm along an axis at right angles to the line of actuation ofthe push button. Optionally this aspect of the invention may extend to acomplimentary remote actuator push button adapted to be mounted on theopposite side of the first member to that of the first push button.Axially alignment of the push buttons can be achieved with independentunlatching functions so that, for example, the second push button couldbe located on the interior of eg a swimming pool enclosure to facilitateactuation and release of the latching mechanism so the gate or door canbe opened irrespective whether the first push button is locked or not.

In a broad form and more fully the second aspect of the invention may bedefined as providing a latching device for latching in a predeterminedposition, two members which are otherwise moveable relative to oneanother, the latching device having (a) a retaining element adapted tobe mounted to a first of the members, (b) a mounting structure arrangedto be mounted on the second of the members, (c) the mounting structurehaving a latch arm arranged to be mounted in a housing for engagementwhen in use in an engaged position with the retaining element to preventrelative movement of the members, (d) the latch arm being displaceableto a disengaged position so that the members may be moved apart, (e) anoperating mechanism including a push button actuator having an axis ofactuation along which it is adapted to be pushed against biasing meansto displace the latch arm substantially at right angles to the axis ofactuation to the disengaged position, (f) the operating mechanismincluding a locking mechanism adapted to be operated by an adult, whichlocks the push button actuator in a first position until the lockingmechanism is released, and characterised by the operating mechanismincluding a cam element operated by the push button actuator, and a camfollower connected to the latching arm to displace it responsive tomovement of the cam.

A third inventive aspect of the present disclosure relates to a novelform of key particularly adapted to be used advantageously with latchingdevices described herein as other aspects of the invention.

This aspect provides a key for operating a locking mechanism, whereinthe key is arranged to be normally set to a disabled state where itcannot be used and capable of adult manipulation to an enabled statewhere it can be used, the key including a security means, operation ofwhich by adult manipulation sets the key to the enabled state.

In one form the key is based on a concept of a simple prong which isinserted into a complimentary groove in a lock extending into the pushbutton device thereby releasing the push button from a locked conditionso that it may be pressed inwardly to release the latching arm. In asimple form this key is adapted to be carried by an authorised personand thereby a child resistant actuator is provided without being highsecurity installation such as that that would be provided by a cylinderlock.

However in a more sophisticated form a key device can be secured to thestructure near the latching device eg by being suspended with a securitydevice intended to be actuated by an adult and not a child. For examplethis form of device can have a simple prong arrangement which isenshrouded and the shroud is adapted to be retracted on actuation of akey pad when an adult presses the correct combination of keys so thatthe prongs can be inserted to unlock the locking mechanism of the pushbutton. The prong can then be withdrawn and the shrouding would thenmove back eg under spring biasing to its original position so that thekey can be left hanging near the latch device but would not be capableof actuation by a young child.

A preferred mode of operation is for the device to be held in the palmof one hand with two fingers extending either side of the shroud.Fingers of the other hand key in the “code” to depress the relevant keysand the two fingers engage around and retract the shroud so the prongsare exposed to release the locking mechanism.

Thus this aspect of the invention provides a new and useful alternativeto known digital lock arrangements.

With advantage all aspects of the invention can be combined in a singlelist installation but the present specification presents these aspectsas distinct alternative proposals which may be used and provide a novelarrangement singly or in any combination.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features and advantages of the present invention will become apparentfrom the following description of an embodiment thereof, by way ofexample only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which;

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a latching device installed on a gatepost, for example for a swimming pool enclosure, with a retaining deviceinstalled on a frame of the gate;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the lower portion of the device of FIG. 1showing individual components;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the upper portion of FIG. 1 showing thecomponents of the upper actuating member;

FIG. 4 is a partly assembled view showing interior components of thedevice of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a part cross-sectional isometric view of the latching deviceof FIG. 1 corresponding to open gate position and each opening devicereleased;

FIG. 6 shows the latching device of FIG. 1 in partial cross-section withparts of the housing removed for clarity and showing the device in alatching position in use, the latching bolt extended against its springbiasing to the position it will adopt when attracted by the strongmagnetic forces in the retaining device;

FIG. 7 is a view corresponding to FIG. 6 but showing the effect ofactuation of, in this case, the exterior push button of the device sothat the gate may be opened;

FIG. 8 is a view corresponding to FIG. 7 wherein the rear push buttonhas been depressed and the gate is open, the bolt being retained in aelevated position by its biasing helical spring after the rear pushbutton is released;

FIG. 9 is a detailed front view of a push button of an actuatingmechanism of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a sectional rear view of the push button of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a view of the key arranged to operate the locking mechanismof the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an enlarged scale of another form ofkey shown fitting into the lock of the button of FIGS. 9 and 10;

FIG. 13 is an exploded view of the key of FIG. 12, showing internalcomponents;

FIG. 14 is a further exploded view of the key of FIG. 12; and

FIG. 15 is a further exploded view of the key of FIG. 12, with somecomponents removed for clarity.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings, a latch device 1 has a housing 2 which mountsinternally a latch arm 3, comprising in this example a number ofcomponents which will be described in more detail later. In thisembodiment, in use the housing is mounted to a gatepost 4, by way ofmounting flanges of brackets 5 which permit the housing 2 to be adjustedin height during installation.

The latch arm 3 is moveable between an extended position and a retractedposition. In the extended position of FIG. 1 and FIG. 6 a bolt 6 havinga tip 6A of the latch arm 3 extends into a retaining member 7 (whichwould be similar to the retaining member used in the applicant's abovereferenced US Patent), which is fitted to a gate frame 8 as shown inFIG. 1. The retaining member 7 includes a latching shoulder which, whenthe latch arm 3 is in the extended position interferes with the bolt 6and prevents relative movement (eg stops the gate from being opened). Inthis embodiment a strong magnet in the retaining member pulls the bolttip 6A down to align with the latching shoulder. In latching, the device1 operates in a similar manner to the device disclosed in theapplicants' earlier U.S. Pat. No. 5,362,116. The device 1 operates as aself-latching device, which is positively biased to operate by way of amagnetic field when the latch arm 3 and retaining member are axiallyaligned. No manipulation by the user is required for this to occur,since latching happens automatically when the retaining member and bolt6 are axially aligned usually as a result of a closing mechanism movingthe gate to the closed position.

In order to unlatch the device 1, first and second operating mechanismsare provided. The first operating mechanism is similar to that disclosedin U.S. Pat. No. 5,362,116 and comprises a first actuator 9, having anoperating handle 10, which is mounted at the top of the elongate housing2 and connected to the latch arm 3. A user pulls the handle and thiscauses the latch arm 3 to lift upwardly into the retracted position,(shown also in FIG. 7 when the alternative operating mechanism is used)so that the bolt tip 6A is removed from the retaining member 7. The gatecan then be opened. Because the handle is positioned at the top of theelongate housing 2, and the elongate housing is mounted at apredetermined height, the height of the handle is such that it can onlybe operated by an adult user. The positioning of the housing 2 would besuch that the handle could not be reached by a child.

Such a handle, of course, cannot be reached by somebody who is disabledand has to use a wheelchair. This presents a problem for disabledpeople. This embodiment of the present invention addressed this problemby using a second operating mechanism 11, having an actuating memberwhich in this example is in the form of a first push button 12 and arear second push button 13. When either push button is pushed in, thelatch arm 3 is raised to the retracted position (by operation of a camstructure described below), thereby removing the bolt tip 6A from theretaining member. Each push button is accessible at a lower height thanthe handle actuator, and can be accessed by, for example, a personsitting in a wheelchair.

Obviously, this presents a problem, in that if it can be accessed by aperson in a wheelchair, a push button can be accessed by a child. Toavoid a child being able to actuate the push button, a lock and keysystem is provided at least for the outer or first push button whichwill be outside a swimming pool gate. Locking from the gate interior maynot be needed. In the illustrated embodiment, each push button has anassociated lock which includes a key access groove 14.

The simplest form of key 16 is shown in FIG. 11 and comprises a ribbedhandle 18 and a forked operating tip 17 having prongs for insertion intothe key groove 14 in the push button 12. The mechanism is unlocked bythis action before the push button can be operated. Such a key 16 isintended to be entrusted to an adult who retains the key in safepossession. However, issuing such a key to an adult can at times beinconvenient.

In another embodiment, a key 20 (FIGS. 12 to 15) is provided and whichis to be mounted proximate the latching device 1 by way of a mountingbracket.

In order to prevent unauthorised operation of the key 20 a securityarrangement is provided. FIG. 12 shows an embodiment, having a keypad21. To operate the key, a code must be entered on the key pad 21 whichthen enables a cover 2 to be withdrawn to expose a forked prong 23 forunlocking the push button. Fuller details of this alternative will bedescribed in more detail later.

The latching device 1 and its operation will now be described in moredetail.

The latch arm 3 comprises a number of components. It includes an upperportion comprising a rod 30 mounting the actuating handle 10 at itsupper end an connected at its lower end through connector 31 to an upperlink 32 and a lower link 33, which are slideably interengaged with eachother within the housing 2 so that they will undergo motion relative toeach other. The lower link 33 has a horizontal mounting plate 34 at itslower end to which upper end of the bolt 6 is fixed.

FIG. 6 shows the bolt 6 in its extended latching position where itengages with the retaining member 7 due to magnetic attraction, therebycompressing a helical lifting spring 35 retained between the mountingplate 34 and a fixed collar 36 which forms part of the interior housingstructure. When the handle 10 is lifted, the rod 30 moves with it asdoes the upper link 32 to which it is connected. After initial lostmotion is taken up, the lower link at 33 is lifted along with themounting plate 34, thereby lifting the bolt 6 to disengage from theretaining member so that the gate can be opened. When the handle 10 isreleased, the upper link 32 drops under gravity but the lower link 33 isretained in its elevated position by the spring 35 and the configurationshown in FIG. 5 remains.

In the alternative, actuation of the mechanism can be achieved bypressing either the front push button 12 or the rear push button 13 toact through a cam and cam follower arrangement which will now bedescribed in detail.

The push button 12 abuts a cam plate 36 which includes on one face aseries of parallel angled ribs 37 which form a slide cam. The cam plate36 is arranged to move inwardly in a horizontal direction through asupport aperture 37A in the interior frame 38 of the housing when thepush button 12 is pushed in and the ribs 37 then engage with a camfollower arrangement formed by angled projections 39 on a portion of theupper link 32. A spring 40 is provided in order to return the cam plate36 and push button 12 after the gate has been opened and the push buttonreleased.

The rear push button 13 is provided in a housing 43 mounted on the rearside of the gate post 4. The push button 13 pushes a push rod 45 whichextends through the gate post 4 and abuts a further cam plate 46 whichon the exterior right hand face (hidden in FIG. 6) carries a set of ribsangled appropriately to the ribs 26 for engaging with corresponding camfollower projections 47 on the inner right hand face of the upper link31.

The rear push button 13 is mounted in a rear housing 43 to enable thelatch mechanism to be operated from the rear side of the gate. A returnspring 44 is provided to return the button 13 and push rod to a positionwhere a cam is not engaged with the cam follower 47 and upper link 32.Spring 40 returns the cam plate 46 to its initial position.

FIG. 5 illustrates the second operating mechanism in the disengagedstate with the latch 3 in the retracted position and corresponding tothe gate having been opened after unlatching and the buttons or handlereleased so that a lifting shoulder 48 on upper link 32 is below theshoulder 49 on lower link 33.

Details of the top portion of the device will now be described withreference to FIG. 3. The upper part of the housing 2 is in the form of atubular extrusion 201 adapted to mount at its upper end a mount 50 for alock 51 of a cylinder type with a top cover 52 being adapted to coverthe mount 50. The arrangement permits the cylinder lock 51 to beactuated by a key, thereby preventing the handle 10 being lifted byvirtue of the lock engaging with an annular groove 50 in the base of thehandle so it cannot be lifted.

Further structure for the housing is shown in FIG. 2 and includes theinterior frame 38 having an upper exterior casing element 202 and alower exterior casing 203. Although not shown in this embodiment, anadaptation is to provide a lost motion link between the connector 31 andthe upper link 32 so that if the handle is locked with the cylinderlock, actuation is possible by either push button.

FIG. 6 shows the latch 3 in the extended position with the bolt tip 6Apositioned where it would engage within a receiving cavity behindlatching shoulders in the retainer member 7. FIG. 6 shows an abutment 55from the lower mounting bracket 5 which prevents de-latching themechanism by forcing the gate downwards.

FIG. 7 shows the push button 12 in the depressed position, causing thefirst operating mechanism to be actuated, so that the upper link 32 ispushed upwardly, causing the shoulder 48 of the upper link to engageunder the shoulder 49 of the lower link 33 thereby lifting the lowerlink which includes the mounting plate 34 whereby the bolt 6 is liftedand the extension spring 35 can extend. It will be noted that the frontcam plate 36 has been pressed inwardly to compress the return spring 40(not shown in FIG. 7) and with the push button held in, the gate can beopened. When the push button 12 is released, it springs back to itsoriginal position as shown in FIG. 5. However, operation of the pushbutton in this embodiment is dependent upon the lock being firstreleased as will be discussed in more detail below.

It will be appreciated that only one of the cam plates 36 or 46 isadapted to be depressed at a time and either will lift the links so thatthe bolt is retracted and held in an upper position despite downwardmagnetic forces from the retaining member so that the gate can beopened.

Operation of the locking mechanism will now be described. Mostconveniently, FIG. 2 in exploded form shows the front push button 12having a pair of complementary spring biased locking tabs 60 and 61which are urged laterally in respective grooves in the upper and lowersides of the push button 12. FIGS. 9 and 10 show detail on an enlargedscale and in the part cross-sectional view of FIG. 10, detail of thetabs can be seen. Each tab is complementary and comprises a curved tip62, a central aperture 63 and two inwardly directed spring legs 64.Conveniently, the tabs are moulded of plastic material. Each tab has atransverse shoulder 65 so that when assembled as shown in FIG. 10, eachtab is spring biased away from each other to the locking position. Topermit the push button, when assembled to be moved, the tabs areretracted by inserting a forked key, as described in more detail below,through groove 14 so that the tabs are pulled towards one another. Asclearly shown for example in FIG. 8, the respective housings haveinterior recesses 66 into which the tabs normally engage to perform alocking function. For a swimming pool gate installation, it may bepreferred for the rear push button 13 to be free from locking functionin which case adaptation of the housing to elongate the recess 66axially to the extent of push button travel would provide that freedom.

As described above, the simplest form of a key is shown in FIG. 11 withprongs 17 having respective angled ramp surfaces which engage oncomplementary structure on the tabs to retract them. Continued pressureconveniently through the key permits the push button to be displaced andthus the latching device disengaged to permit a gate to be opened.

FIG. 8 illustrates the rear push button 13 in a depressed position,causing the second operating mechanism to operate and again the shoulder48 is engaged with the shoulder 49, thereby lifting the lower link 33.

As best shown in FIG. 2, a projection 68 on an end face of cam plate 36,is arranged, when push button 12 is pushed inwardly, to extend into thegroove 14 from the opposite direction from the key. This projection 68is shaped to fit in the central area between the prongs of the key. Thisarrangement prevents the lock being actuated by a simple rectangular orrounded flat member, such as a stick.

Referring to FIGS. 12 to 15, the key 20 comprises a housing having anupper cover 70 and a lower cover 71. Shroud 22 is mounted within thehousing so that it is slideable within the housing between a retractedposition, where the prongs 23 are revealed (see FIG. 12) and the key canbe operated and an extended position where the prongs 23 are hidden bythe shroud and the key is not operable (FIG. 13). A spring 72 mountedwithin the housing biases the shroud 22 to the outward, non-operableposition.

The shroud 22 comprises a forward cover portion 73 (which operates tocover the prongs 23) and an inner slide portion 74 which includes arrayof slots 75 which receive keys 76 of the key pad 21. The keys 76 arearranged to be actuated by a user by pressing them downwardly. Thepartly disassembled view of FIG. 14 shows the slideable shroud removedand depicting how the prongs 23 are mounted on a spine 77 terminating inan upper tab 78 and a lower tab 79 shown in FIG. 15 which anchor theprongs in respective grooves in the upper and lower housings.

FIG. 15 illustrates a further disassembled view showing the form of theindividual keys 76 which have respective angled resilient legs 80 whichsupport each key on the interior of the lower housing in a resilientmanner and biases each key to an upper position.

The arrangement of slots 75 is such that when any of the keys 76 apartfrom keys 76 a and 76 b are operated (see FIG. 13), they will interferewith motion of slide 74 into the retracted position and prevent itmoving. Each of the keys 76 comprises a tip 80 and a solid central block81 which when depressed prevents the slide member 74 from movingbackwards. When a key is raised, however, the slots 75 are below thecentral block and side grooves 82 align with grooves in the slide and donot prevent its movement.

However, keys 76 a and 76 b include base blocks 83 and 71 which, withthe keys in the upward position normally prevent movement of slidemember 74. Only when keys 76 a and 76 b are depressed (and none of theother keys 76 are depressed) is the slide member 74 enabled to be movedto the retracted position.

It will be appreciated that one, two or more keys could arranged in thesame manner as keys 76 a and 76 b to enable operation of the slidemember 74 when they are depressed. With 8 keys a significant number ofcombinations can be created, sufficient to prevent somebody not havingknowledge of the combination from being able to operate the key.

The fact that the key operates in a mechanical fashion and no electricalcomponents are required, is advantageous, particularly where the key ismounted outside, as it must be rugged and resist all weather conditions.All components are preferably of plastics materials, in order to resistcorrosion. Similarly, the majority of the components of the latch devicemay be of plastics apart from components which require particularstrength, such as the magnetic bolt 6, any screws (not shown), andportions of the retaining member (eg magnet).

The above embodiment of the present invention is essentially amodification of the “vertical” latch device disclosed in the applicants'earlier US patent. The second operating mechanism, with push button,need not be used with a latch of this type. It could be used to operateany latch. Furthermore, the operating mechanism could be replaced with aremotely controlled electronic mechanism such as a solenoid.

Further, the security key described above need not even be used withlatches, but could be used with any type of lock where it is convenientto provide security integral with the key.

It will be appreciated that other types of keys could be used, even keyswith conventional locks. It will also be appreciated that other securitymeans on the buttons themselves could actually be used eg a combinationkey pad.

The illustrated key could be arranged to be secured adjacent a latchingdevice installation, for example having a tether connected to the baseof the key and the forked tip being adapted to be secured in a suitablemounting bracket.

Although the latch in the above embodiment is a vertically displacedlatch, other embodiments may have latches to be placed in any direction.

1. The present invention in one embodiment provides a latching devicefor latching, in a predetermined position, two members which areotherwise moveable relative to one another, the latching device having(a) a retaining element adapted to be mounted to a first of the members,(b) a mounting structure arranged to be mounted on a second of themembers (c) a latch arm mounted on the mounting structure and arrangedin use, when in an engaged position, to engage with the retainingelement to prevent relative movement of the members, (d) the latch armbeing displaceable to a disengaged position so that the members may bemoved apart, the latching device further comprising (e) a firstoperating mechanism for displacing the latch arm to the disengagedposition, the first operating mechanism including a first actuatormanipulatable by a user to displace the latch arm to the disengagedposition, the first actuator being positionable in use at a first heightaccessible by a standing adult user, and (f) a second operatingmechanism for displacing the latch arm to the disengaged position, thesecond operating mechanism including a second actuator manipulatable byan adult user to displace the latch arm to the disengaged position, thesecond actuator being positionable in use at a second height, lower thanthe first height, and accessible by a seated adult, such as a disabledperson in a wheelchair.
 2. A latching device in accordance with claim 1,wherein the second actuator requires a key for operation.
 3. A latchingdevice in accordance with claim 2, wherein the second actuator includesa push button for operation.
 4. A latching device in accordance withclaim 3, wherein the second operating mechanism includes a lockingmechanism which locks the push button in place preventing actuationuntil the key is used to release the locking mechanism.
 5. A latchingdevice in accordance with claim 4, wherein the key includes at least oneprong arranged to fit into a corresponding groove in a keyhole in thepushbutton, pushing of the prong into the groove causing release of thelocking mechanism so that the push button can be operated.
 6. A latchingdevice in accordance with claim 5, wherein the cam comprises angled ribson a horizontally slideable plate element and the cam follower comprisescomplementary engagement means on a vertically displaceable element ofthe latch arm.
 7. A latching device in accordance with any one of thepreceding claims, wherein the latch arm in use extends vertically and isarranged to be displaced in a vertical direction, and wherein the pushbutton is arranged to be pushed inwardly in a horizontal direction, thesecond operating mechanism including a cam operated by the push button,and a cam follower which responds to operation of the cam to displacethe latch arm to raise it to the disengaged position.
 8. A latchingdevice in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein thesecond operating mechanism includes a further actuator, arranged to bepositioned on the opposite side of the second member to that on whichthe second actuator is provided, whereby the second operating mechanismcan be operated from either side of the second member.
 9. A latchingdevice in accordance with any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the key isarranged to be set normally to a disabled state where it cannot be usedand capable of adult manipulation to an enabled state where it can beused, the key including a security means, operation which by adultmanipulation sets the key to the enabled state.
 10. A latching device inaccordance with claim 9, wherein the security means includes a key padadapted to be manipulated by an adult to set a code by way of the keypad to set the key in an enabled state.
 11. A latching device inaccordance with claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the security means includesa cover member in the disabled state, arranged to cover an operatingelement of the key, the cover member being adapted to be retracted toset the key in the enabled state.
 12. A latching device in accordancewith any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mounting structureprovides a housing and the latch arm is vertically displaceable againsta downwardly directed force to the disengaged position, the firstactuator being a grippable member.
 13. A latching device in accordancewith claim 12, wherein the retaining element has a magnet adapted topull downwardly a steel bolt element of the latch arm, the latch armhaving a spring biasing the bolt element upwardly to retain the boltelement in a retracted position when the members have been moved apart,the device being such that automatic locking of the bolt element occurswhen the members are moved to a closed position.
 14. A latching devicein accordance with any one of claims 14, wherein the second operatingmechanism includes a further actuator, arranged to be positioned on theopposite side of the second member to that on which the second actuatoris provided, whereby the second operating mechanism can be operated fromeither side of the second member, and the latch arm permits locking ofone or more of (a) the first operating mechanism, (b) the first actuatorand (c) the second actuator, and any unlocked operating mechanism can beused by an adult to disengage the latching device.
 15. A latching devicefor latching in a predetermined position, two members which areotherwise moveable relative to one another, the latching device having(a) a retaining element adapted to be mounted to a first of the members,(b) a mounting structure arranged to be mounted on the second of themembers, (c) the mounting structure having a latch arm arranged to bemounted in a housing for engagement when in use in an engaged positionwith the retaining element to prevent relative movement of the members,(d) the latch arm being displaceable to a disengaged position so thatthe members may be moved apart, (e) an operating mechanism including apush button actuator having an axis of actuation along which it isadapted to be pushed against biasing means to displace the latch armsubstantially at right angles to the axis of actuation to the disengagedposition, and characterised by (f) the operating mechanism including acam element operated by the push button actuator, and a cam followerconnected to the latching arm to displace it responsive to movement ofthe cam.
 16. A latching device in accordance with claim 15, and furthercomprising a locking mechanism adapted to be operated by an adult, whichlocks the push button actuator in a first position until the lockingmechanism is released.
 17. A latching device in accordance with claim16, wherein the latch arm is arranged to be extended and retracted in avertical direction to the engaged and disengaged positions,respectively, and wherein the push button is arranged to be pushedinwardly in a horizontal direction.
 18. A latching device in accordancewith claim 16 and further comprising a key arranged to operate thelocking mechanism to release the locking mechanism.
 19. A latchingdevice in accordance with claim 18, wherein the key includes at leastone prong arranged to fit into a corresponding groove in a keyhole inthe push button, pushing of the prong into the groove causing release ofthe locking mechanism so that the push button can be operated.
 20. Alatching device in accordance with any of claims 15 to 19, wherein theoperating mechanism provides a further push button actuator, arranged tobe position on the opposite side of the first member to the first pushbutton actuator, whereby the operating mechanism can be operated fromeither side of the first member.
 21. A latching device in accordancewith claim 20, wherein a horizontally displaceable cam element isassociated with each push button actuator so that either cam element canbe pushed inwardly and then engage the cam follower to displace thelatch arm vertically and irrespective of whether the other push buttonactuator may be locked.
 22. A latching device in accordance with claim18 wherein the key is arranged to be normally set to a disabled statewhere it cannot be used and capable of adult manipulation to an enabledstate where it can be used, the key including a security means,operation of which by adult manipulation sets the key to the enabledstate.
 23. A latching device in accordance with claim 22, wherein thesecurity means includes a key pad adapted to be manipulated by an adultto set a code by way of the key pad to set the key in an enabled state.24. A latching device in accordance with claim 23, wherein the securitymeans includes a cover member in the disabled state, arranged to coveran operating element of the key, the cover member being adapted to beretracted to set the key in the enabled state.
 25. A key for operating alocking mechanism, wherein the key is arranged to be normally set to adisabled state where it cannot be used and capable of adult manipulationto an enabled state where it can be used, the key including a securitymeans, operation of which by adult manipulation sets the key to theenabled state.
 26. A key in accordance with claim 25, wherein thesecurity means includes a key pad adapted to be manipulated by an adultto set a code by way of the key pad to set the key in an enabled state.27. A key in accordance with claim 25 or 26, wherein the security meansincludes a cover member in the disabled state, arranged to cover anoperating element of the key, the cover member being adapted to beretracted to set the key in the enabled state.
 28. A key in accordancewith any one of claims 25-27, wherein the key has at least one shapedelongate finger for unlocking a locking mechanism by insertion axiallyalong the axis of elongation of the finger.
 29. A key in accordance withclaim 28, wherein at least two spaced prongs provide the elongate fingerto provide a transportable, adult useable key for releasing a childrestraint lock device.